Chapter 662 - Murphys Law (1/2)
A few minutes later, Dex entered the 12th floor. He stared at the round door for a moment before keying in the access code. Nova had been placed under house arrest since he'd uncovered her actions.
He stepped in a few moments later, the pleasant smell of cookies hung in the air. ”Nova?”
Nova popped up from behind the kitchen island. She was wearing oven mitts on both hands; the slightest dusting of flour decorated her black tank top. Her face still showed the yellowing of a bruise under one eye. ”Dex...”
They stared at each other for a long moment. A week earlier, they considered each other close friends, but now the distance between them had turned into an abyss.
Dex noted that her lip was still split open. ”You should put something on that.”
Nova touched her face with a mitted hand. ”It burns whenever I eat. For the record, your partner hits really hard.”
”I wouldn't know.” Dex walked into the kitchen, quickly noticing that there were a few dozen cookies already baked. Unexpectedly, he felt the stirring of sympathy but decided to ignore it.”
”Not that I blame her. I deserved it.” Nova slid her mitts off and grabbed a plate from the cupboard. ”I was going to have someone bring you some.”
Dex grabbed one of the cookies that were still cooling. During one of his visits, he had mentioned his favorite cookie. ”You'll be released in a few minutes.” He covered his expression by taking a bite.
Nova placed the plate on the counter without filling it. ”Do you like them?”
Dex shook his head. ”Complete shit. Where did you learn to bake?” He scarfed down the one in his right hand while securing two more with his left.
The goth hacker grinned suddenly, wincing in pain before touching her lip with a pale hand. ”I'm sorry, Dex. I'm so sorry.”
”Sorry that you got caught?”
His words caused a small, purple vein to stand out on her forehead. The smile slipped from her face. ”Do you hate me?”
”Not at all. We were marks to you. Since I target others, I can't complain when someone does it to me.” Dex took a seat at the island, inhaling the scent of oatmeal raisin cookies. ”Anyways... get your things together.”
Nova shook her head. ”You can't release me.”
”Hmm? Why not?”
”I'm not who I said I was.” Nova sat beside him, staring at the cookies she made. There was a hint of sadness in her features. ”Although, I wish I were.”
”I know. I'm the one that caught you.”
”That's not what I mean.” Nova stared at him for several seconds. ”I lied when Mongoose was questioning me. I work for the Secret Service.”
”Holy shit...” Dex studied her face, trying to read what she was thinking. ”Like working for the President?”
”We do a lot more than that.” She placed a pale hand on his arm, thankful that he didn't immediately pull away. ”My name is Murphy; I'm a field agent in the Cyber-Security division of the Secret Service.”
”Was the Infiltrator handle just a cover?”
”No. I am the best Infiltrator in the agency.” She spoke softly; the words sounded sour in her ears. ”I want to stay here. Maybe we can cut a deal?”
Dex muttered a curse while helping himself to more cookies; she was some kind of baking savant. ”No promises, but I will relay whatever you say to the rest of the Bottom Feeders.”
Nova pursed her lips slightly, watching him for a long moment before continuing. ”I want to return to the lower levels, at least to the 9th floor. I'll agree to any sort of monitoring and will submit all my reports through the Bottom Feeders.”
”It's easier if we just send you on your way.” Dex shrugged slightly; she had a long way to go before he'd accept an olive branch.
”Wait, I'm not done. I'll help with this Yuli job. So you'll have the complete backing of the agency.”
Dex stacked a handful of cookies on the counter before standing up. ”You can pack up your things... Either way, you won't be on lockdown anymore.”
”Hey...” Nova's voice stopped him at the door. ”I tend to screw up good things; it's my own personal brand of Murphy's Law.”
”Was just kidding about the cookies... They were great.” Dex waved and then quickly exited the apartment.
Nova wrinkled her nose at the door before peeking into the oven at the latest batch. ”I wasn't talking about the cookies.”
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